Morishita named Cal State East Bay's fifth president

Leroy Morishita was named Cal State East Bay's fifth president on Wednesday, officially taking over a job he has held temporarily since July.

California State University trustees named Morishita, who spent nearly 30 years as a San Francisco State administrator, to succeed President Mohammad Qayoumi, who last year became San Jose State's president.

Morishita, 59, will continue to make his current salary, $276,055, until trustees determine his new pay in March.

Morishita said his priorities include raising private funds to make up for some of the money lost in state budget cuts and making sure students are better aware of the financial aid and academic programs the school offers.

"It's really trying to communicate to people that there still are opportunities available, despite the budget cuts," he said.

Morishita, who was raised on a grape and plum farm near Fresno, has degrees from UC Berkeley, San Francisco State and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.